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By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist & Tax Advisor Considering a sole proprietorship in Washington? Before you jump in, let me share some hard-earned wisdom from 15 years of helping entrepreneurs make this decision. Washington is unique—it’s one of the few states that actually requires all businesses (including sole proprietorships) to get a state business … Read more

Jake Lawson here. In my 15+ years helping entrepreneurs launch businesses, I get asked about sole proprietorships weekly. The appeal is obvious—zero paperwork, zero fees, zero hassle. But before you jump in, let me share what I’ve learned from watching hundreds of business owners navigate this decision. Bottom line upfront: Starting a sole proprietorship in … Read more

Listen, I’m going to level with you right from the start: while sole proprietorships are the easiest business structure to set up in Texas, that doesn’t automatically make them the smartest choice for most entrepreneurs. After consulting with over 800 Texas business owners, I’ve seen too many sole proprietors get blindsided by liability issues that … Read more

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist & Tax Advisor Thinking about launching a sole proprietorship in Massachusetts? Hold up—before you dive in, let me give you the straight talk on what you’re actually signing up for. After 15 years of helping entrepreneurs navigate business formation decisions, I’ve seen too many founders choose sole proprietorships for … Read more

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist Here’s a question I get at least twice a week: “Jake, I’m forming my LLC and the state is asking for something called a ‘NAICS code.’ What the heck is that, and does it matter?” My answer: “NAICS codes are the government’s way of categorizing every business in America … Read more

By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025 Here’s my honest assessment: I’ll show you exactly how to start a Sole Proprietorship in Iowa, but I’m also going to explain why it’s probably not your best choice – especially when Iowa LLCs cost only $50 and offer complete liability protection. After helping 1,200+ entrepreneurs launch businesses … Read more

Jake Lawson here. New York’s entrepreneurial energy and economic opportunities attract ambitious business owners from around the world. But after 15+ years helping entrepreneurs navigate the Empire State’s business landscape, I’ve learned that New York’s high-stakes environment makes sole proprietorships particularly dangerous. Like opening a bodega without insurance in Manhattan—what looks like saving money can … Read more

By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist Every week, I get calls from entrepreneurs asking: “Jake, how do I check if a business name is taken?” or “I need to verify that a company is legitimate—where do I look?” The answer is always the same: your state’s Secretary of State business entity search database. These free, … Read more

By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025 Here’s the straight answer: Your Pennsylvania LLC will be approved in 5-7 business days if you file online, or about 2 weeks if you mail your paperwork. Pennsylvania doesn’t offer expedited processing, so what you see is what you get. I’ve guided 150+ Pennsylvania LLC formations from Philadelphia … Read more

By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025 Short answer: Yes, you can be your own registered agent in New Jersey if you have a physical address in the state and can be available during business hours. But whether you should is a different question entirely. After helping 1,200+ entrepreneurs form LLCs across all 50 states, … Read more